Enthusiasts share modern car trends that they find visually unappealing

What are some of the current car design trends that have emerged in the name of evolution but are just horrendous to see?

BHPian Bit recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The title says it all: What are some of the current car design trends that have emerged in the name of evolution but are just horrendous to see?

I'll go first:

• The huge "tablet sticking" infotainment on the middle of the dashboard that looks like someone has just planted a cheap aftermarket tablet in the car. This trend was first started by Mercedes and sadly, budget OEMs followed too blindly. I prefer that you either find a thoughtful way to integrate it or if cannot, I'm happy with the smaller dashboard integration but a big no for it sticking out like a sore thumb!
• The ultra latest, connect tail light treatment. The classic two point tail lights used to have an identity of their own but this connected trend has made virtually all new cars look the same from the rear. I'm sure that as time goes on, this too will improve and distinctions will be there but in its current bland form, it's just BORING.

Your turn.

Here's what BHPian ryzen7&5800u had to say on the matter:

A timely thread!

I really dislike the trend of cars moving to having oversized yet mostly blanked out grills.

The movement of the headlight further lower down the bumper is also extremely frustrating, as I cannot imagine these designs offering much serviceability.

The light bar occupying the space of the traditional headlight and the mono tail lamp bar.. I just hope the tail lamp bar does not result in the rear indicators becoming the same shade of red as the stop lamps - this is a major safety risk, IMO.

In the interiors, I will gladly join the bandwagon clamouring for the return of buttons.

I also believe car interiors are best kept to shades of black. A beige or white interior may look good when new, but will become a nightmare to keep clean.

I also hope that manufacturers don't start restricting the colour choices on cars. I like the orange S-Presso! And I lament the loss of the Moroccan Blue on the Nexon. Would it be too much to ask for some exciting shades of metallic paints, maybe at a premium? I'm sure it will help in building USPs.

Here's what BHPian JDMBOI had to say on the matter:

Here is my list.

Fake exhaust

Fake air vents

Touch AC controls

Complicated gear shift levers & funky buttons

Overly complicated exterior designs

Here's what BHPian vrprabhu had to say on the matter:

Electric/remote opening boot, which CANNOT be opened from inside (using a traditional boot release). They have done away with key slots also!

Weird turn signal indicators, especially the ones integrated in the DRLs. Initially, I loved it when I saw it (on an Audi). But, of late, every car maker has joined the band wagon and some the blinkers are down right confusing (especially the one which runs like a serial light, on a Merc?, which looks like something is wrong with the car itself!)

Here's what BHPian poloman had to say on the matter:

The most crazy feature I have come across is the gear selection on the touch screen in Tesla. Swiping up and down for drive and reverse. Now in a tight parking spot you will go mad swiping up and down. Some may not get registered and you may crash to the vehicles or barriers ahead or behind.

Here's what BHPian IshaanIan had to say on the matter:

• Capacitive touch for nearly everything; worst of all the aircon and entertainment.
• Sequential indicators and DRLs preceding the design of the headlights themselves.
• Enormous size; I really wish we shrunk cars down to the sizes they were around 3 generations back.
• Digital dials; electro mechanical like in a Lexus or else just don’t.

That said, the two things I do like about new cars are that most of them offer the option of a sunroof in the top trim (sometimes even a panaromic one) and ventilated seats

Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:

I HATE large alloy sizes and low profile tires. They are fragile. Alloys get cut and bent every now and then, and tires keep having failures. These things then cost an arm and a leg to replace. Ride quality gets ruined, suspensions take a beating, and everyone is all the worse for it.

I am so glad that my new Nexon EV comes with R16 alloys and tires with thick, India friendly sidewalls. Sick and tired of replacing 18-20k apiece tires every now and then on my Hexa (R19) and Compass (R18).

Here's what BHPian asit.kulkarni93 had to say on the matter:

1. Ugly grills. Who likes these monkey cars with humongous grills?

2. Those huge LED DRLs at the top and headlight below the grill. It looks weird to me and to be honest take away the ruggedness from most SUVs.

3. Connected headlamps and tail lamps. Why? Most of these mass market cars with LED headlamps and tail light would cost a bomb when either of them go bad. And Inspite of all this tech these lights are useless in the rains.

4. Touchscreen for everything. Buttons feel good. They feel classy. I see no value added with touchscreens everywhere. I am not even going to talk about the integrated units where the HU and AC are together. What’s the point?

5. Huge rims on mass market cars. Cost of replacement of tyres is obnoxiously high. And to make the matters worse the sidewall related issues are in abundance.

Please give us a car which utilises more of straight lines than curves along with a well balanced suspension, punchy engine and a smooth transmission. And most importantly, please have normal sized grills.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.